Dishwashing machine



Oct. 15, 1935. G. WEBB DISHWASHING MACHINE 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed July 29, 1932 fmfenarear e Webb Attorngy Oct. 15, 1935. G. WEBB- DISHWASHING MACHINE 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 75 Webb WDYUEX Filed July 29, 1952 Oct. 15, 1935.

' G. WEBB 2,017,677

DISHWASHING MACHINE Filed Ju1y29, 1932 s Smets-sheet s.

55m/ge Webb gi? arfzgy Patented Oct. l15, 19,35

UNITED STATES 2,017,677 nrsnwasnmc Maclmm George Webb, West Hartford, Conn., assignor to Colts Patent Fire Arms Manufacturing Co., Hartford, Conn., a corporation. of Connecticut Application July 29, i932, Serial No. 625,668

. 4 4 Claims.

The invention relates particularly to dish washing machines of the type wherein each machine comprises a casing in which the dishes are s ubjected to jets of washing liquid forcibly directed against them. The jets are ordinarily oppositely directed to act on the dishes at oppo- -site sides thereof. While the invention is, in the main, particularly applicable to machines of the class mentioned it is not necessarily so limited as to all `of its features. I

When there are Ytwo sets of jet devices above and below the path or'position of the dishes, these oppositely directed jets oppose each other and a considerable amountof splashand spray is formed as the result of their impact. A dish washing machine ordinarily has doors or curtains for the purpose of confining this splash or spray tothe interior of the casing; but a considerable quantity escapes if the doors are opened or if 'the curtains are lifted while the jet devices are in action. One'of the objects ofthe present invention is to provide a liquid curtain or an additional jet device which serves to reduce to the minimum the escape of splash or spray even when the opening to the interior of the casing is otherwise unprotected.

Another object of the invention is to provide, either in association with the protective'liquid 4curtain or otherwise, splash guards and exible curtains of novel design and arrangement which still further reduce the amount of splash or spray escaping through the opening in the casing.-

Other objects of the invention will be apparent from the following spec'cation and claims.

I do not herein specifically claim thejet device which is disclosed,-.this being made the subject of my patent for Jet device for dishwashing machines, No. 1,966,573 issued July V1'7, 1934 upon an application flied as a division of this present application:

In the accompanying drawings I have shown one embodiment of the invention, but it will be understood that the drawings are intended for certain parts shown in section along the line 2 2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a horizontal sectional view taken along the line 3 3 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is' a horizontal sectional view taken along the line 4-4 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a transverse sectional view taken along the line 5-5 of Figs; 1 and 3. Y Fig. 6 is a fragmentary sectional view along the line 6-6-01 Fig. l. 4

Fig. 'I- is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken along the line 1-1 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary sectional view of the suction guard, this view being taken along the line 8-8 of Fig. 4. y l y Fig. 9 is a fragmentaryv sectional view taken along the line 9-9 of Fig. 8.

Fig. 10 is an enlarged side view .of one of thel top jet devices.

taken Fig. 11 isa. bottom view of the vjet. device f Shown in Fig. 10.

Fig. 12 is a'n enlarged longitudinal sectional 2o dishes may be placed in racks and moved ,conu tinuously or otherwise throughV the casing and while in the casing they may be subjected to the $5 'Y action of `washing and,rinsing liquids. While the invention is particularly applicable to a ma-` chine of this type it will be understood that as to most of its features it is not so limited. The machine is provided with a casing I and 40 a tank 2, both of which are supported on a mainframework 3 having feet I. 4. The casing l is shown as being of generally rectangular cross- .sectiom and it is provided at the left end with a supply opening 5 and at the right .end with a. 45

and as a. matter of structural convenience the said casing and tank may be formed as a'single unit -as shown. The tank preferably extends throughout the entire length of the casing, but

'is preferably considerably narrower so as to leave alspaceat :the front. Liquid can be supplied I6 to the tank through a pipe connection at I and A excess Y liquid. in the tank; may he discharged ,through an overow pipe 8. In order that the casing may be emptied when desired there is pro- 5 vided a drain pipe 9 controlled by avalve. I0.

Carried by the framework 3 in the space below the casing I and at thefront of the tank 2 is parts to be presently described. Within thecasing I is a support for the dishes to be washed, and this support may be variously formed Without: departing from the spirit of myinvention. However, I have shown a dish support a. platform II, which serves -to support certainAA adapted to receive and guide dish carrying racks l 15. through the casing, one such rack being indicated j at A in Figs. 1 and 2. /If desired acombined -dish',`

support and conveyor mechanismniay be provided. 'I have shwn a'guide and conveyor mech"- anism which is adapted :toiengage and support .20 dish racks such as A and to move them through th'e casing fromthe .supply opening-5to the disl charge opening 6 The combined. guide and conveyor. mechanismVis shown as being constructed similarly to that disclosed in my copending appli*A cation for Dishwashing machine Serial No. 356,572

led April 19,1929.

The guide and conveyor mechanism as shown comprises two main` side plates or rails I2, I2

which are connected -'and heldin proper spaced 3c relationship by means of spacing rods I3, I3 extending between them. Near-`one end of the conveyor, preferably the ,right end, is a rotatable shaft Il mounted in suitable bearings carried by the side plates I2, I2.v -Moimted on the shaft I4 3I`adjacent the respective-side plates are chain sprockets I5, I5. ,At the opposite ends'ofthe mechanism aretwo-other chainsprockets I6, I6 carried by the respective side plates. Two endless conveyor chains I1, II- extend over the sprockets ;.at the respective sides of the machine. Ihe upper portions offthe two chains are supported on rails4 Il, I3 carriedY by the side plates,-and the lower portions of the chains aresuppolted on-rails I 9,

. I3 carried by or formed as parts of the side plates. For operating the conveyor there vis provided a speed-reducing gear box 2U of any usual or preferred construction` supported' onv the platform A I I. Projecting from the box 20 is a shaft 2I with asprocket-wheel 22 thereon. A sprocket wheel 5 0..23 is provided on the conveyor shaft I4 and a chain 24 passes'over and around the two sprocket wheels V22 and 23. When power is transmitted to Y the gear box 2l! inthe manner to. be described.

the conveyor chains I1, I1 are operated to ca ';the racks slowly through the casing.`

The combined guide andV conveyor mechanism is preferably so supported in the casing- I that it can be readily removed as an entirety, and to this end the dimensions of the "said mechanism 'are 00 4fsucli that it can be readily removed through one of the end openings, `preferably'the opening 5. As shown there are vjtwo-i brackets 25, 25 project. ing inward from the right end wall of the casing, these brackets being grooved to receive the cross 65 .rod I3 ofthe conveyor mechanism. At the oppo.-

site-end of the machine are inward projecting brackets 25, 25 upon -which rests the rod I3 at the .corresponding end ofthe conveyor mecha- -any lower jet deviceand is-thus adapted to produce a curtain of liquid moving in 70 nism. 'When it is desired to remove the conveyor '70? `.mechanism it is necessary to disconnect it" from the chain 2|. may be done4 by loosening the-sprockets l5, l5 and 2301i theshaft Il and then `withdrawing the shaft .longitudinally from tliesad Sprockets. In Order that the shaft Il ing 2'I in the side of the casing, this opening' bein gnormally closed yby-a. removablecover 28.

For withdrawing .liquid from the tank .2 and deliveringdt under pressure there 'is provided a pump 29 preferably of the centrifugal type.4 'Ihe s pump is mounted onl the platform II. with its axis extending-longitudinally -of the machine. An electric motor 30 is directly oonnected'with the pump to drive it. 'A connection from the `pump to'thegear box 20A serves lto drive the latter. 10

'I'he pump 29 has an intake duct 3I.withvan'in take opening therein and a discharge duct 32 with a discharge opening therein. The tankA 2 has an outlet opening 33 and the intake of the, pump is connected with this outlet opening pref- 15 erably by means of a .ange member 34 suitably secured to the side wall of the tank.

Connected with the discharge duct of the p'urnp are suitable jet devices for delivering the washing liquid under pressure against the dishes which 2liv are being supportedpr moved within the casing. Preferably there .are two sets of jet devices, one above the position .or'path of thedishesjand the other below Vthe said position orfpath. -These upper and lower devices must be directly opposed. 25

for the reason that thelower. jets, if unopposed,

` would lift and break some of the lighter dishes.

The details as tothe positioning and mounting of the jet devices may be varied, but one suitable .arrangement gis shown in the drawings and this SII will be now described. Located within the casing and directly connected with the discharge duct of the pump is 'a .T-member 35. To the vertical branch offthisrf-member is connected a vertical pipe 35 which is connected by means of an 35.

devices of. each pair are oppositely-disposed and serve to direct jets of washing liquid respectively downward and upward against the'dishes supported or. moved upon the aforesaid support 45 within the casing.

Inasmuch as the liquid is delivered from the jet devices under high pressure a considerable amount of splash or spray is formed asthe result. of impact of the jets against the dishes and 5o against the dish racks and particularly as the result of the impact of the oppositely directed jets against each other. In order to avoid an execssive length of casing the oppositely disposed jet devices must be relatively near the supply open- 55 ing 5 and-in order to reduce to a minimumthe dis- -charg'e of splash or spray through this supply opening I provide means adapted to form a cur- Y tain of liquid moving continuously in one direction across the path of the dishes between the `what similar vto the before-mentioned iet devices 43, 4l, this additional device being carriedV `by the same manifold 33.- Itwill be observedV that the device n is entirely out-or register with the downward direction. 'a

inasmuch as me device 4 2 deuversnquid considerable pressurethe `said liquid serves not vonly as a curtain to catch'and the heavy splash formed bythe-aforesaid opposed spras' :comer: l .3

devices 48,-40 and 4I, 4-I, but it also serves in and of itself as an effective means for removing from the dishes the larger 'and heavier particles of food which may adhere to them. It will be ob- ,.5 vious that the action of this preliminary curtain or spray device on the dishes is very effective 'and .advantageous asit prevents the aforesaidlarger particles of food from being caught between the main opposed jets where they might be held by 1o- Ythe balancing actionof the said jets and possibly eventually redeposited upon thedishes. f

iThe curtain produced by the device 42 serves as already stated to absorb the larger portion of the splash caused by the opposed Ajet devices 15. 48, 48 and 4I, 4I; The said device 42- does not of itself cause any large amount of splash by reason of the fact that all of the liquid is moving in one direction and is unopposed by -liquid moving in the opposite direction. However, notwithstanding this fact, the'devioe 42 does cause some splash and in order to prevent this from passing out through the supply opening 5 I provide a very effective combination of splash walls and flexible curtains obetween the said supply opening 5 and the said device 42. As Vshown there. are two transverse splash walls 43 and 44. Each of these walls extends along the two 'side walls of the cas-` ingi and across the top thereof as clearly indicated in'l'igs. 3, 4 and 5. -Carried by the said splash i walls 43 and 44 are hooks 45, 45 and 46, 46. The hooks 45, 45 are adapted to' receive a transverse rod at the top of a iiexible curtain 41 and the hooks 46, 4B are adapted to receive a transverse rod at thetop of a, flexible-curtain 48. It will be obvious that the said curtains 41 and .48 can be readilyremoved for inspection, cleaning or replacement, and that they serve when in place to effectively prevent any splash from passing out through the opening 5. When dishes are inserted the said curtains 4l and. 48 are momentarily lifted by the dishes, but even then there can be but Va small amount of splash at the opening 5 as themajor splash from: the jet devices 40, 4I!Y and 4I, 4I is stopped by the liquid curtain produced "by the device 42 as already explained.

After the dishes have passed .beyond the zone of action of the jet devices 40, 40 and 4I, 4I they enter a rinsing zone whereftheyare acted upon by upward and downward moving jetsor sprays.'

of rinsing liquid delivered by jet or spray devices 49, 49 and 58, 58. These spray devices are connected by means of suitableV piping with a valve 5I, hot water 'being delivered to theV` said valve zles 49, 49 and 50, 50. Preferably splash Walls 54 and 55 are provided at both ends of the rinsing zone and with them are associated flexible cur- .-;tains -55 and 51 These splash walls and flexible curtainsare ormay be similar to the splash walls and curtains aneady described.

In usingthe machine the dishes to bewas'hed are placed in racks such as A and these racksare 'D- introduced successively through the supply opei`1.- ing 5 so a's to be supported by the conveyor chains I'I, I'I. The dish racks are ,slowly moved by the conveyor from left toright ythrough the casing, the dishes therein being 'rst engaged by the 5.1; downward moving curtain .or-series.- of jet'sfrom the device 42.and being thereafter engaged by the opposed jets delivered by the jet devices 40, 40 and 4 I, 4I. When the dish racks emerge from the washing zone to the rinsing zone they engage f the ,lever 53 to open the valve 5I as before de- :".5 scribed, thus causing rinsing water to be. directed against the dishes through the spray-devices 49, 49and 58, 50. Finally the dish racks emerge through the discharge opening 5.

'I'he main casing I is preferably provided at 1U one side, ordinarily the front side, with an inspection opening normally closed by a door 58 which is movable vertically. Heretofore g diiiicultie;y

the door which is so constructed as to. collect all 25;

liquid in the vicinity of the door and direct it back into the interiorof the For supporting and guiding the door 58 I provide a frame which at least partly surrounds the inspection opening. As shown the-frame com- 30- prises an outer member 59 which engages the outersurface of the corresponding side wall of the casing; The said frame member 59 engages the door 58 at its outer surface and guides it for vertical sliding movement. This frame member 86 is preferably a casting, .though as to .this I do not limit myself. As shown the frame member 59 is provided across the bottom portion thereof with a. flange 60 which is spaced from the door` 58 and which will`collect liquid and prevent it 40-` from owing downward along the outer surface of the frame. Y

I preferably provide a second or inner frame member EI which surrounds the inspection opening but is located at the inner surface-of the 45 ride wall as shown in Fig. 7.- The two frame members 59 and `IBI are held together by bolts 52 which extend through suitable openings in the lfront wall of the casing I` It will be observed which permit liquid in the slot 64 to be drained 60 l backinto the interior of the casing.

. It will b e obvious that with the construction shown any moisture `findingY its way around the edges of the door or dripping from the door when the 'door is in open position will be guided into 65.'. the slot 64, this action being facilitated by the iiange 60 already mentioned. Liquid enteringthe slot 64 will drain through the opening 55 linto the interior of the casing.

For collecting and retaining scraps of food and otherA solid matter I provide a series of scrap' trays 65, 66 across the top`of the tank- 2.' These' scrap trays are freely removable, removal being lmost conveniently effected by the supply end of the machine. It will be understood that the 75. j

lseveral scrap traysl can be moved longitudinally so as to comewithin convenient reach of operator at thesupply opening 5.,

In order to prevent excessive turbulencewithin the tank 2`I preferably provide asuction guard 51 for the pump intake. This guardia box-like in :form and extends transversely of the tank. One endof theguard communicateswith the pump and the guard is closed at its opposite end and also at the top and is furthermore substan- 1:- tianyclosed a1; the sides. I The bottom is open except for a screen 55 and-this screen mayexg tendpart way up the sides as shown'in the drawings. It wm beobserved thaoeventnough the not only prevents solid matter 'from enteringthe scrap trays 65 were omittedv the guard 51 and the screen 68 would-effectively prevent Asolid matter from enteringthe pump. The guardpump but it reduces turbulence in the .tank and 'i *in the tank 2 should be seriously depleted the .pump willcontinue to operate, as 'the guard 51 vreduced considerably below the top of the tank l outlet opening.

.flee forall.' Each jet device comprises a duct 55, preferably socket into which ts'acylindrical portion 10 on prevents any air from-entering the pump even' though thev level'of the liquid4 inthe tank be 'Ihe main jjet or spray devicesv 45, 40, 4l,` 4| and 42 may be varied in construction, but inthe drawings, particularly Figs, .to 13, I have shown oneform of .constmction which is highly advantageous. Each'of these devices is or may bel substantially the same-in construction, and therefore adescription of one of them YWlllsui'-i a casting.' which is openf at one end to receive -.iiquid'f-rom ythe corresponding manifold or 35.' Preferably the manifold is provided with a the duct, this cylindrical portionbeing clamped andV heldin place by `means of a clamping .ring

1i provided with' a-clamping =srew 12.. Adjacent the cylindrical-portion is a pin or stud having apertures or slots 15, .15 therein for d eli'vering jets or spraysof liquid.

' In order that .the-direction ofiiow through the 10' adapted to enter a notch in the clamping ring to determine the proper location of the jet' device. Theduct 69 is' closed at, the end opposite the end which communicates with the manifold Aand is provided along one side with-an open-slot n. coverinsthe slot u is a-removable plate u .,-apertures 15, may besubstantially perpen- 1l -of the duct. The plate 14 is provided with aj similar ila't surface, thus providing-a tight joint dicularto, the of the duct, I provide means in the ductior preventing, orat least restricting, 'thezlongitudinal -w of the liquid along that side of the duct which is adjacent the'slotJl "andthe apertured' plate 14.

Preferably the means for restricting'the longitudinal flow comiprises cross elements or bars16 formed integrally with the duct 59. Referring by way of example to Fig-12 it will be apparent; that these cross` elements or barsj'lli restrict the longitudinal ilow to-the lower portion'of the duct, thus making it possible for the liquid to iiow upward from the said .lower4 portionto the' apertures 15, 15 in the.

Plate.

vIhave shown the slot -1'3'- as being form'edin a iiat surface 11 on theducttmwhich surface is' parallel withthe axisof the cylindrical portion between the duct and the plate, Preferably the plate is provided vwith hoIIowbOases' 1l', 1l-

therefore enables the pump .to operate more ef.--

f icicntly. Furthermore even though the .liquid tively downward and upward a,'o17,'c'zv i .the respective cross bars 15, 15. Screws.'15, 15 extend through the bosses 1l, 1l

and into-the cross bars 16, 15,thus ilrmly hold- 'ing the plate 14 in place.v The said plate 14 is' preferably transversely Vcurved withits convex `:s

surface` outward. The aperturesA 15, 15 in the plate mayvary as to size. shape and spacing, so as to provide the required types and forms ofl jets or.sprays, but vI have shown rectangular aper, tures-diagonally positioned. It will b'e ,apparent that with the construction -which I have showntheentire jet device can be easily removed by loosening the clampingring 1|. After removal the plate 14 can be readily detached to provide access tothe interior of .the l5 device.. Itis then'possible to easily clean the interior of the duct 59 and also to clean both sides of the plate 1 4. Should the plate 14 become worn ox-broken it can be easilyreplaced;

.or the said plate can be replaced by another platehavlng apertures-of a different character.

What Iclaim is: I -1..A washing machine for dishes or simila'.ar

'ticles'. comprising in combinationa main casing having supply and discharge openingsat opposite ends thereof, means in the casing for guiding the .moving continuously in one direction across the V Apath of the articles between the supplyend of the casing and the said :opposed spray devices.

2. A washing machine for dishes or similar articles, comprising in combination a main casing` having supply and discharge openings at opposite ends thereof, means in the casing for guiding thea'rticles .to be washed through the casing from the supply opening to the-discharge opening, a pair of similar oppositely disposed upper and lower jet devices in the casingfrespectively above and 45 below the .path of the articles being guided Vthrough the casing for directing jets of washing liquid respectively downward and upward against the said articles, and an additional upper jet de. vice above the said path for directing jets of washing liquid downwardagainst the articles, the last saidjet device being out of register with any lower jet device and-being positioned between-the sup'- ply end of the casing and the rst said jet devices. Y

3. A'washing machine for dishes o r similar ar- A i:icles,` comprising in combination amain casing having sumili?v and discharge Aopenings at opposite ends thereof, means in the lfor guiding the articles to be washed through the casing from the supply opening tothe discharge opening, `a pair A of similar oppositely disposed upper and lower 'jet l 'devices in the casing 'respectively above and -be low the' path of the articles being guided through l thecasing for. directing jets of washing liquid respectiv'ely downward'and upward against the said ar'izicles.` means for projecting a ciu-tain of liquid moving continuously in one direction across the pathof the'articles between the supply end'of the casing and the' said opposed spray devices.: 70

plurality-of transverse splash walls within. thev casing betweenthe said curtain projecting means, and the-supply end of thecasing,each ofthe "said walls extending along the two sidewalls f the casing'andacross the top, and aplurality of 15 .transverse flexible curtains closely associated with casing, a: transverse splash wall within the cas; the respective splash walls. ing extending along the two side walls andacross 4 4. In a washing machine for dishes or similar the top, a transverse exible curtain extending articles, the combination of a main casing having l between the side portions of the splash walls and 5 supply and discharge openings at opposite ends having at the topasupporting rod with projecting- 5 thereof, means in the casing for guiding the artiends, and hooks on the splash walls for engaging cles to be washed through the casing from the the projecting ends of the rod to detachably supsupply opening to the discharge opening, jet deport the curtain. vices in the casing for directing iets of washing A y p GEORGE WEBB.

10 liquids against articles being guided through the 10 

